Ong in a huff over PKFZ query
S PathmawathyPublished: Jul 14, 2009 11:07 AM | Updated: Jul 14, 2009 1:46 PM
Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat has deflected questions on his alleged role in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, instead targeting opposition politician Lim Kit Siang for criticism.
Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat has deflected questions on his alleged role in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, instead targeting opposition politician Lim Kit Siang for criticism.
“Today we are not going to talk about PKFZ. If I want to talk about it, I’ll tell to keep you updated,” he told reporters after chairing MCA's pre-cabinet meeting at party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.
The minister, together with his predecessors Dr Ling Liong Sik and Chan Kong Choy, have been summoned to testify before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) tomorrow over alleged discrepancies in the PKFZ project.
He was asked to respond to Lim's blog-post, which demanded if Ong would “tell all” to PAC on how the project cost had escalated from RM2 billion to RM12.5 billion.
“He (Lim) has been outdated for a long time. He should go back and read his own 180 questions (on this issue, based on 2-3 questions a day since late May),” said Ong before walking off.
“He is his own copycat, copying what he has mentioned before, again and again. If this is the model for a politician, it will be sad for Malaysian parties politics.”
Ling is expected to appear before the parliamentary committee tomorrow at 11am, while Ong is slated to respond on Thursday at 2pm.
PAC chairperson Azmi Khalid had said that a list of names has been compiled, of those involved with the project since 2002.
Since the release of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on the project in May, Lim has been attacking Ong. He has also accused Ling and Chan of “unlawfully issuing four letters of support resulting in the RM12.5 billion burden to the people”.
The four letters, issued to turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, allowed it to raise RM4 billion in bonds that appeared to be guaranteed by the government.
Lim said the transport ministers had no powers to issue financial guarantees as such assurances could only be issued by the finance minister with the cabinet's approval.
PAC's investigation on the alleged discrepancies is expected to be compiled and distributed to members of parliament in October.
‘Increase time for English lessons’
On another matter, Ong addressing the reversal of the policy to teach Science and Mathematics in English.
He said that, although MCA welcomes the change, there is a need to ensure that the teaching of English as a language is reinforced.
“We are mindful that there is a need for continuity and it is our primary concern. We would like to propose that the schools increase the time allotted for English to a level that is comparable or at least with no disparities with mainstream schools,” said Ong.
According to him, 313 minutes are allocated to teaching the English language in national schools, while only 120 minutes are allocated in national-type schools.
“We propose that the cabinet should at least increase the time from 120-180 minutes (utilising the additional periods allocated under the language-switch policy in vernacular schools),” he added.
“Today we are not going to talk about PKFZ. If I want to talk about it, I’ll tell to keep you updated,” he told reporters after chairing MCA's pre-cabinet meeting at party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.The minister, together with his predecessors Dr Ling Liong Sik and Chan Kong Choy, have been summoned to testify before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) tomorrow over alleged discrepancies in the PKFZ project.
He was asked to respond to Lim's blog-post, which demanded if Ong would “tell all” to PAC on how the project cost had escalated from RM2 billion to RM12.5 billion.
“He (Lim) has been outdated for a long time. He should go back and read his own 180 questions (on this issue, based on 2-3 questions a day since late May),” said Ong before walking off.
“He is his own copycat, copying what he has mentioned before, again and again. If this is the model for a politician, it will be sad for Malaysian parties politics.”
Ling is expected to appear before the parliamentary committee tomorrow at 11am, while Ong is slated to respond on Thursday at 2pm.
PAC chairperson Azmi Khalid had said that a list of names has been compiled, of those involved with the project since 2002.
Since the release of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on the project in May, Lim has been attacking Ong. He has also accused Ling and Chan of “unlawfully issuing four letters of support resulting in the RM12.5 billion burden to the people”. The four letters, issued to turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, allowed it to raise RM4 billion in bonds that appeared to be guaranteed by the government.
Lim said the transport ministers had no powers to issue financial guarantees as such assurances could only be issued by the finance minister with the cabinet's approval.
PAC's investigation on the alleged discrepancies is expected to be compiled and distributed to members of parliament in October.
‘Increase time for English lessons’
On another matter, Ong addressing the reversal of the policy to teach Science and Mathematics in English.
He said that, although MCA welcomes the change, there is a need to ensure that the teaching of English as a language is reinforced.
“We are mindful that there is a need for continuity and it is our primary concern. We would like to propose that the schools increase the time allotted for English to a level that is comparable or at least with no disparities with mainstream schools,” said Ong.According to him, 313 minutes are allocated to teaching the English language in national schools, while only 120 minutes are allocated in national-type schools.
“We propose that the cabinet should at least increase the time from 120-180 minutes (utilising the additional periods allocated under the language-switch policy in vernacular schools),” he added.
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